Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic apparatus includes a circuit portion having a connector to which an interface cable is connected, a case for accommodating the circuit portion and having a wiring route for the interface cable leading from the connector to an external space and a connection opening for exposing the wiring route, and a cover for opening or closing the connection opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority under35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/384,649, entitled“ELECTRONIC APPARATUS” of Karasawa et al. and filed on Apr. 6, 2009 nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,089,771, which itself is a continuation application ofand claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/966,772, entitled “ELECTRONIC APPARATUS” of Karasawa et al. andfiled on Oct. 14, 2004, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,535,720 on May19, 2009, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-353938, filed on Oct. 14,2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus.Conventionally, an electronic apparatus for conducting datacommunication with another apparatus connected by an interface cable isknown. For example, a printer, an image scanner, a combination machine,or the like is used by being connected to a personal computer by a wiredinterface of various standards such as USB, IEEE 1394, and the like.

In a case where stationary type electronic apparatuses such as a desktoptype computer, a printer, an image scanner, a combination machine, andthe like are connected to each other, it is desirable to wire aninterface cable in the rear portion of each apparatus. Accordingly, inconventional stationary type electronic apparatuses, an operation panelis provided on the front portion of a case, and a connector for aninterface cable is provided in a rear portion of the case, so as toimprove the ease of use. In addition, in a case where such a stationarytype electronic apparatus is provided with an interface for a removablememory, it is desirable to provide in the front portion of the case aslot for inserting the removable memory.

Meanwhile, inside the case, a connector for the interface cable, a chipconstituting a controlling portion for the interface, a chipconstituting a controlling portion for the removable memory, and a chipconstituting a central control unit are desirably mounted on the samesubstrate in proximity to each other to improve the reliability ofsynchronous control of a high-frequency signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, it is generally difficult to ensure the degree of freedom indesign while simultaneously satisfying the requirements for the layoutof the exterior of the case occurring in the light of the ease of useand the requirements for the layout of the interior of the case in themounting technology.

The invention has been devised in view of the above-described problems,and its object is to provide an electronic apparatus which excels in theease of use and has a high degree of freedom in design.

To attain the above object, the electronic apparatus, according to theinvention, comprising: a circuit portion having a connector to which aninterface cable is connected; a case for accommodating the circuitportion and having a wiring route for the interface cable leading fromthe connector to an external space and a connection opening for exposingthe wiring route; and a cover for opening or closing the connectionopening. By providing the wiring route for the interface cable insidethe electronic apparatus, it is possible to lead the interface cablefrom the internal space of the electronic apparatus out to the externalspace at a position where the ease of use is excellent although it maybe far from the position of the connector. In addition, by providing theconnection opening for exposing the wiring route inside the electronicapparatus and the cover for opening or closing it, the interface cablecan be withdrawn from and inserted into the connector provided insidethe electronic apparatus. Therefore, according to the invention, it ispossible to realize an electronic apparatus which excels in the ease ofuse and has a high degree of freedom in design.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the inventionis characterized in that the case is provided with an operation panel ona front portion thereof, and has a connection port for allowing theexternal space and the wiring route to communicate with each other on arear portion thereof. By providing the operation panel on the frontportion of the case and by providing the connection port for the cablein the rear portion of the case, it is possible to improve the ease ofuse of the stationary type electronic apparatus.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the inventionis characterized in that the connection opening exposes the wiring routein its entirety. By adopting an arrangement in which the wiring routecan be exposed in its entirety, the detachment and attachment of theinterface cable are facilitated.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the inventionis characterized by further including: a printing section which isaccommodated in the case, the electronic apparatus functioning as aprinter, wherein the case has a maintenance opening which exposes theprinting section, and the cover is connected to the case in such amanner as to be movable from a position for closing the connectionopening and the maintenance opening to a position for opening theconnection opening and the maintenance opening. By adopting anarrangement in which the connection opening for exposing the wiringroute of the interface cable is also opened by moving the cover forclosing the maintenance opening for providing maintenance to theprinting section, the structure of the electronic apparatus whichfunctions as the printer becomes simple.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus accordance with the invention ischaracterized in that the case has an operation panel and an insertionport for a removable memory on the front portion, and has a connectionport for allowing the external space and the wiring route to communicatewith each other on the rear portion, and that the circuit portion has amemory controlling portion for controlling the removable memory, aninterface controlling portion for controlling the transmission andreception of a signal through the interface cable, and a substrate formounting thereon the connector, the memory controlling portion, and theinterface controlling portion. Since the connector, the memorycontrolling portion, and the interface controlling portion are mountedon one substrate, it is possible to improve the reliability of theelectronic apparatus which effects signal processing at high speed. Inaddition, as a result of the provision of the operation panel and theremovable memory in the front portion of the case, the provision of theconnection port for the interface cable in the rear portion of the case,and the provision of the wiring route or the interface cable inside theelectronic apparatus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost byimproving the ease of use of the electronic apparatus without a declinein reliability.

Furthermore, the electronic apparatus in accordance with the inventionis characterized in that the case has connection ports on at least thefront portion and the rear portion respectively, for the interface cablefor inputting data to be printed by the printing section, and that thecircuit portion has a first connector to which a first interface cableled out to the external space through the wiring route is connected andwhich is spaced apart from one of the connection ports, a secondconnector which is exposed from another one of the connection ports andto which a second interface cable is connected, an interface controllingportion for controlling the transmission and reception of a signalthrough the first interface cable and the second interface cable, and asubstrate for mounting thereon the first connector, the secondconnector, and the interface controlling portion. Since the twoconnectors and the interface controlling portion for controlling thetransmission and reception of a signal through the interface cablesrespectively connected to these connectors are mounted on one substrate,it is possible to improve the reliability of the electronic apparatuswhich effects signal processing at high speed. As compared with a casewhere a control portion is provided for each connector, themanufacturing cost can be reduced and the apparatus can be made compact.In addition, by adopting the arrangement in which one of the twointerface cables for inputting data to the printing section can beconnected from the rear portion of the case, and the other one can beconnected from the front portion of the case, an interface cable forconnecting to a stationary type electronic apparatus such as a desktoptype computer can be wired to the rear side of the case, while aninterface cable for connecting a portable type electronic apparatus suchas a digital camera can be wired to the front side of the case.Therefore, it is possible to improve the ease of use of the electronicapparatus having the printing function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from a detailed description of a preferred embodiment withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area A shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram according to the embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a plan view according to the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram according to the embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram according to the related art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereafter, a description will be given of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination machine 1 according to theembodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the combinationmachine 1. The housing of the combination machine 1 includes a printercase 2, a front case 4, and a scanner case 3, and the like.

A maintenance opening 6 is formed in the printer case 2 serving as acase.

A carriage 20 serving as a printing section, an ink cartridge 22, andthe like are, exposed through the maintenance opening 6. Anunillustrated print head for ejecting ink, which is stored in the inkcartridge 22, toward printing paper is mounted on the carriage 20.

The printing section may be formed on the basis of any printing methodsuch as an ink jet system, a laser system, or the like. In addition, themaintenance opening 6 may expose only a paper feeding and dischargingmechanism for a countermeasure against a paper jam.

The scanner case 3 serving as a cover is rotatably connected to theprinter case 2 so as to be movable from a position for closing themaintenance opening 6 to a position for opening the maintenance opening6. In the attitude of the scanner case 3 for opening the maintenanceopening 6, the entire upper portion of the printer case 2 is made open.

A structure may be adopted in which the scanner case 3 and the printercase 2 are connected so that the scanner case 3 can slide on top of theprinter case 2.

The font case 4 serving as a case is attached to an upper portion of afront part of the printer case 2. The front case 4 is provided with anoperation panel 8.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area A shown in FIG. 1. A recessedportion 10 is fanned in the front case 4. A first opening 14 is formedin a side wall 12 of the recessed portion 10. A USB connector 16 for PCconnection (USB connector for a PC) serving as a first connector isexposed in the first opening 14. A USB cable 18 for PC connection (USBcable for a PC) serving as a first interface cable is connected to theUSB connector 16 for a PC.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, and 4B, a groove portion 24 extending from therecessed portion 10 to a rear portion of the printer case 2 is formed ina side of the printer case 2. The USB cable 18 for a PC is accommodatedin the groove portion 24. The groove portion 24 forms a wiring route forguiding the USB cable 18 for a PC to the rear portion of the printercase 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, and 4D), a connection port 26 is formed in arear surface of the combination machine 1. The connection port 26corresponds to one end of the groove portion 24 and allows the externalspace and the wiring route formed by the groove portion 24 tocommunicate each other. The USB cable 18 for a PC is led from theconnection port 26 to outside the apparatus. An unillustrated stationarytype electronic apparatus (PC) such as a desktop type computer isconnected to the combination machine 1 by the USB cable 18 for a PC. Thefirst opening 14, the recessed portion 10, the groove portion 24, andthe connection port 26 correspond to the wiring route. In addition, anupper opening 28 of the recessed portion 10, an upper opening 30 of thegroove portion 24, and an upper opening 32 of the connection port 26correspond to a connection opening of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second opening 34 is formed in a frontsurface of the printer case 2. A USB connector 36 for connection to anexternal memory device (USB connector for an external memory) serving asa second connector is exposed in the second opening 34. A USB cable 37for connection to an external memory device (USB cable for an externalmemory) serving as a second interface cable is connected to the USBconnector 36 for an external memory. An unillustrated external memorydevice is connected to the combination machine 1 by the USB cable 37 foran external memory.

Insertion ports 38 for a plurality of kinds of removable memories areformed in the front surface of the printer case 2. An unillustratedremovable memory is inserted in each of the insertion ports 38, and theremovable memory is connected to a connector 40 for a removable memory(memory connector), which will be described later.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the combination machine 1 in a state inwhich the front case 4 is removed.

A main-board 42 serving as a circuit portion is mounted on the frontportion of the printer case 2.

The following are mounted on the mainboard 42: the USB CONNECTOR 16 FORA PC, the USB connector 36 for an external memory, the memory connector40, a CPU 44 incorporating a USB controller, unillustrated memories, acontroller 46 for removable memories (memory controller), and the like.The USB connector 16 for a PC is disposed at a position spaced apartfrom the connection port 26 formed in a rear portion of the printer case2. The USB connector 36 for an external memory is disposed in thevicinity of the second opening 34 formed in the front surface of theprinter case 2. The memory connector 40 is disposed in the vicinity ofthe insertion ports 38.

The CPU 44 is electrically connected to the unillustrated memories, theUSB CONNECTOR 16 FOR A PC, the USB connector 36 for an external memory,and the memory controller 46. The CPU 44 controls the respectiveportions of the combination machine 1 in accordance with a programstored in the unillustrated memory. The CPU 44 also functions as aninterface controlling portion. The CPU 44 receives a control signal,image data, and the like from the PC through USB communication. Inaddition, the CPU 44 receives image data and the like from the externalmemory device through the USB communication.

Although the CPU 44 incorporating the USB controller has beenillustrated, the CPU and the USB controller may be formed on separatechips.

The memory connector 40 is electrically connected to the memorycontroller 46. The CPU 44 controls the memory controller 46. The memorycontroller 46 reads image data and the like subject to printing from aremovable memory by controlling the removable memory. The memorycontroller 46 and the memory connector 40 correspond to a memorycontrolling portion.

According to the above-described embodiment, the connection port 26 isprovided in the rear portion of the printer case 2, and the USB cable 18for a PC which is not frequently attached or detached is led out fromthe rear portion of the combination machine 1. Accordingly, the wiringof the USB cable 18 for a PC which is connected to the stationary typeelectronic apparatus is not conspicuous, so that the appearance is good.

In addition, since the second opening 34 and the insertion ports 38 areprovided on the front surface side where the operation panel 8 isprovided, the connection or disconnection of the external memory device,the insertion or removal of the removal memory, and the operation of theoperation panel, which are frequently performed by a user, can beeffected from the front surface side, so that the operating efficiencyis excellent. Accordingly, the ease of use of the combination machine 1improves.

In addition, by providing the first opening 14, the recessed portion 10,and the groove portion 24, the USB cable 18 for a PC is guided from thefront surface side of the combination machine 1 to the rear surface sidewhere the connection port 26 is provided, and the USB cable 18 for a PCis led out from the connection port 26 of the combination machine 1.Therefore, the USB connector 16 for a PC can be disposed on the frontsurface side of the combination machine 1. Accordingly, the USBconnector 36 for an external memory disposed in the vicinity of thesecond opening 34, the memory connector 40 disposed in the vicinity ofthe insertion ports 38, the CPU 44, and the memory controller 46 can bemounted on the same main-board 42. Hence, it is possible to improve thereliability in USB communication between the CPU 44 and the PC andsignal processing between the CPU 44 and the removable memory withoutimpairing the ease of use, and improve the degree of freedom in thedesign of the main-board 42. In addition, the size of the main-board 42can be made compact, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Inaddition, as compared with a case where the main-board is connected by aconnector or connected by a cable by providing a separate substrate formounting a USB controller, it is possible to reduce the manufacturingcost of the circuit portion.

Comparative Example

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination machine as acomparative example of the invention. In the comparative example of theinvention, the USB connector 36 for an external memory and the memoryconnector 40 are respectively disposed in the vicinities of the secondopening 34 and the insertion port 38 formed in the front portion of theprinter case 2, while the USB connector 16 for a PC is disposed in thevicinity of the connection port 26 formed in the rear portion of theprinter case 2. Since a high-speed signal is transmitted, the USBconnector 36 for an external memory, the memory connector 40, and theUSB connector 16 for a PC should desirably be mounted on the samemain-board 42. Accordingly, the main-board 42 has a shape in which itextends from the front portion to the rear portion of the printer case2. In addition, since the printing section such as the carriage 20 andthe unillustrated paper feeding and discharging mechanism are disposedin a central portion of the printer case 2, the main-board 42 isinstalled vertically on a side portion of the printer case. Namely, inthe combination machine as the comparative example of the invention,since the USB connector 16 for a PC is provided in the rear portion ofthe case, the design becomes such that the insertion port 38 isvertically elongated and is offset toward the side portion of theprinter case 2.

On the other hand, according to the above-described embodiment, sincethe USB cable 18 for a PC is guided freely along the wiring route, theUSB connector 16 for a PC is disposed at a predetermined position, andthe connection port 26 can be formed at a predetermined position.Accordingly, since the main-board 42 can be installed horizontally inthe front portion of the printer case 2, the second opening 34 and theinsertion port 38 become horizontally elongated, as shown in FIG. 2. Inaddition, the insertion ports 38 can be formed in the center of thefront portion of the printer case 2. In comparison with the design ofthe comparative example in which the second opening 34 and the insertionport 38 become vertically elongated relative to the horizontallyelongated design of the operation panel 8, it is possible to obtain aneat design. In other words, it is possible to improve the degree offreedom in the design of the appearance.

Further, if the scanner case 3 is set in an attitude in which themaintenance opening 6 is open, all of the first opening 14, the recessedportion 10, the groove portion 24, and the connection port 26 can beexposed. Accordingly, since the USB cable 18 for a PC can be easilyinserted into and removed from the USB connector 16 for a PC providedinside the combination machine 1, the ease of use improves. In addition,since the scanner case 3 for opening and closing the maintenance opening6 is used as a cover for the connection opening, a separate structure isnot required. Accordingly, the structure of the combination machine 1becomes simple.

Although in the above-described embodiment the USB cable 18 for a PC isguided by the groove portion 24 formed by an outer wall of the frontcase 4, the USB cable 18 for a PC may not be retained inside the case 1in which the substrate 42 with the connector 16 mounted thereon isaccommodated, as shown in FIG. 6.

In addition, if the USB cable 18 for a PC can be easily removed from andinserted into the USB connector 16 for a PC, the wiring route may bepartially exposed by providing in the case 2 an opening 106 serving asthe connection opening and a cover 103 for opening and closing theopening 106, as shown in FIG. 6.

In addition, although in the above-described embodiment the connectionopening is provided in the outer portion of the case and is notcommunicated with the internal space of the case, the connection openingmay be formed as the opening 106 allowing the internal space of the case2 and the external space to communicate with each other, as shown inFIG. 6.

In addition, although in the above-described embodiment the combinationmachine 1 has been illustrated as the electronic apparatus, theelectronic apparatus to which the invention is applied may be a scanner,a printer, a stationary type PC, or the like.

In addition, although in the above-described embodiment the USB cablehas been illustrated as the interface cable, the interface cable may bea cable of any standards, such as an IEEE 1394 cable, a parallel cable,or the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a printingsection; a printer case, accommodating the printing section therein; anopening portion, formed on an upper surface of the printer case so as toexpose the printing section therethrough; a first surface part of theupper surface, located at a front side of the upper surface of theprinter case with respect to the opening portion; a second surface partof the upper surface, located at a rear side of the upper surface of theprinter case with respect to the opening portion; a recessed portion,formed on the first surface part; a first connector, formed in therecessed portion and configured to connect an interface cable thereto,the interface cable configured to be connected with a stationary typeelectronic apparatus; a groove portion, located to one side of theopening portion, the groove portion having a first end located at thefront side and a second end located at the rear side such that thegroove portion extends rearwardly along an end of the printer case, thegroove portion being in communication with the recessed portion andbeing configured to receive an interface cable therein; a scanner case,attached to the printer case at a rear side of the printer case, andconfigured to cover and uncover the opening portion; and an operationpanel, provided on the printer case at a location that is in front ofthe first surface part.
 2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, whereina front face of the printer case at a side of the operation panel isprovided with a second connector configured to connect an externaldevice thereto.
 3. The electronic apparatus of claim 2, wherein thefirst connector and the second connector are provided on one mountingboard.
 4. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scanner casecovers the opening portion, the recessed portion, and the groove portionwhen the scanner case is closed.
 5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4,wherein the operation panel is disposed at a position higher than thefirst surface part of the printer case, and wherein the scanner case issupported by the first surface part of the printer case when the scannercase is closed.
 6. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein thestationary type electronic apparatus is a personal computer.